Let’s be real.

There’s a war going on, and it’s not about skinny jeans vs. wide-leg pants or whether or not you should drink iced coffee in winter. It’s a spiritual war for the identity of women. A war that’s not being fought with swords, but with selfies. Not with armor, but algorithms. And you, daughter of God, are right in the crosshairs.

We’re living in an age where culture is screaming, “Look at me!” Meanwhile, heaven is whispering, “Look to Me.” And every day, you and I are faced with the same choice: Will I reflect Christ… or will I reflect culture?

And I get it. It’s tempting. Trends make you feel relevant, seen, even powerful. One minute, you’re “just trying a new look,” and the next you’re elbow-deep in contour and crop tops, wondering how you ended up spending $180 on three items from a fast-fashion site that won’t even exist next year.

But this obsession with outward appearance isn’t random, it’s ancient. The Bible told us this would happen:

“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves…” (2 Timothy 3:1-2)

Lovers of self. That’s our generation’s anthem. We invented the selfie, glorify self-care like it’s salvation, and base our confidence on comment sections. But God never called us to be consumed with self, He called us to die to it.

And here’s what no one wants to admit: the world’s definition of femininity has been hijacked. We’ve gone from being fearfully and wonderfully made to desperately and digitally modified. From godly confidence to algorithm addiction.

It’s not new either. In ancient Rome, women layered on makeup, curled their hair in towers, and adorned themselves with gold to flaunt their wealth. Peter wasn’t being old-school when he wrote:

“Do not let your adornment be merely outward… but let it be the hidden person of the heart.” (1 Peter 3:3-4)

He wasn’t banning beauty. He was begging women not to settle. Because outward beauty fades, literally and metaphorically. Those high-waisted jeans that were “in” last week? They’re being replaced by low-rise pants and trauma.

Let me tell you something: God is not impressed with your Instagram aesthetic. He’s looking for the posture of your heart.

And the Proverbs 31 woman? Let’s talk about her. She wasn’t trending, but she was trustworthy. She wasn’t worried about “main character energy”, she was up before the sun handling business and blessing her household. And the verse that gets me every time?

“Strength and honor are her clothing.” (Proverbs 31:25)

Not Fashion Nova. Not “baddie vibes.” Strength. Honor.

Now don’t get it twisted, God is not anti-style. Look around creation. He’s the King of beauty and detail. He’s not frowning at your nicely put-together outfit or the way you style your hair. But He is grieved when our appearance becomes our identity, or when we seek approval from the world more than we seek intimacy with Him. He is after your heart. So if your reflection is getting more attention than your prayer life, it might be time for a spiritual wardrobe change.

Can we talk motives for a second?
Why are you drawn to that trend?
Why do you feel pressure to show more skin, blur your waist, or get those lashes longer than your sanctification process?

If it’s not pointing you—or others—toward Christ, it’s probably pulling you away from Him. Some of us are dressing for validation while our spirits are walking around naked and ashamed like Eve after the fall. And then we wonder why we feel empty even after the outfit is perfect.

You weren’t made to chase trends. You were made to chase God. And believe it or not, that’s the most counter-cultural, revolutionary thing a woman can do in 2025. You want to break the internet? Be modest. Be kind. Be holy. You’ll confuse everyone.

Some people won’t get it. They’ll say you’re old-fashioned, too “churchy,” or “doing too much.” But guess what? You don’t owe the world your relevance. You owe God your obedience.

And if you’re feeling convicted right now, don’t run from that. That’s not shame. That’s grace tapping you on the shoulder saying, “Hey, come up higher.” Jesus isn’t trying to condemn you, He’s trying to cleanse you.

Because the truth is, you don’t need to trend to matter. You don’t need to be seen to be known. You don’t need to be loud to be heard by heaven. You just need to be His.

So yes, delete that cart if it’s full of things that flatter your figure but compromise your convictions. Unfollow that influencer if her content stirs envy instead of holiness. Take a step back from the mirror and look into the Word instead.

There’s a deeper beauty waiting for you. One that doesn’t wrinkle, age, or fade with the next trend cycle. It’s found in the woman who walks with God, who fears the Lord, who opens her mouth with wisdom and not clout-chasing commentary.

You were never called to be a walking billboard for culture. You were called to be a living epistle, read by everyone (2 Corinthians 3:2). So what are people reading when they look at you?

This world is loud. But God is still speaking. And I promise you, His voice will never lead you to trade your virtue for vanity.

Let’s be women who build altars, not platforms. Let’s be remembered for our impact, not our outfits. Let’s be beautiful because we are holy, not because we are trendy.

And when they ask why you look different, talk different, and walk different, you tell them:

Because I belong to Someone greater.